STEP 1

The first step is to get both audio sources on your hard-drive. If you have a DVD-ROM you can rip the isolated score directly with the right software. As for the LP, you'll have to record it via audio-methods. Unless you can find a transfer of the LP to CD and rip that.

STEP 2

Go with the LP tracks wherever possible. They're uncut (in most cases) and are mixed as a soundtrack as opposed to a film dub. You'll need to equalize the DVD to match the LP volume. This is important, since you'll be doing some splicing. You may also need to correct or smooth over a few imbalances in the film track. Unfortunately, the music sometimes cuts out or drops off and there's no good way to mask it.

STEP 3

Create your final mix. Here are some helpful guidelines:

1. Opening/The Power Ceremony MIX

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I recommend using the film version. If you find the octave pairs in the harp, you'll know where to splice in the awesome two-note fanfare from the LP version.

In the film, the final passage is tracked with music from "The Shard." You'll need this music later, but it doesn't belong here. Remove it and splice in the proper ending as heard on the LP.

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On the DVD, this cue fades in and may have been tracked. But I like it, so I recommend placing the unused cue "The Storm" from the LP before it, merging the two to make them feel more continuous.

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Called "Skeksis Duel" on the LP, this cue is dialled out in places during the film. The film, however, features an extended opening. Splice this extension from the DVD onto the complete LP version. You'd be advised to make the edit after the trumpet fanfares began to prevent a radical and distracting drop-off in the low frequencies ... the DVD version of the cue starts out with a deep bass rumble.

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This one's a little tricky. You'll only hear the first half of this cue in its intended position before it fades away to nothing. The second half is way back at the end of the film-version of "Opening/The Power Ceremony." Fortunately, there's some overlap, so you can splice together a complete cue.

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Not really a full musical cue, you can create this track by using musical sound effects. (a) Begin with the odd "growing" sound that accompanied the Mystic Master showing Jen a vision of Aughra's home. (b) Add the note that sounded when he showed Jen a vision of the shard. (c) Add Jen's flute and the crystal's response from the scene where Jen chooses from three shards. You can edit this track to your liking, or even omit it altogether.

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This one has some ugly editing towards the end, so watch out! Find a good place to end it.

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The DVD version has a longer opening, but lacks the subtle flourish that opens the LP version. I recommend grafting the first few haunting strains from the DVD onto the LP version. Don't bother switching back to the DVD version, because it gets dialled out towards the end. The LP version remains intact.

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You may be tempted to go with the film version because it can be included with the following cue as one track. But the LP version has a slightly extended opening. Plus it sounds better.

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The first cue is severly cut down on the LP. And the latter cue features the vocal chants of the urRu on the DVD! The DVD version of the "Finale" segues directly into the "End Credits" if you can manage it. Or you may want to include the credits here, forming one (very long) track.

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38. Love Theme LP
39. Finale (Alternate) LP

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As heard on the LP, without vocals. There is also a slightly different transition to the "End Credits," but since this passage is repeated in the "Overture" (which you'll find below), if you don't want a repeat of the entire end credits you can splice a "new" ending for the "Finale" using the very end of the track, thus excising the redundant credits sequence.

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STEP 4:

Arrange the score any way you like it over two CDs. I recommend opening Disc 2 with the cue: "The Dark Crystal." This leaves room on the second CD for the score tracks from Jones' fantastic Dark City. Neat idea, huh?

STEP 5:

Cool.

I just said it!

Thanks,

Scott

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Originally posted by Scott:
Can I say that you are just awesmome? Can I say that?

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Depends on how you define "awesmome".

whatever are you talking about?